Saturday, June 30, 2012

Although the 2012 U.S. Women's Open Championship week officially begins on July 2nd with flag-waving events planned for the entire week, I'm not sure how many people are aware of the history, kickoff, players or even knowledgeable about the beautiful Blackwolf Run golf courses. Allow me to brief you so that you will want to tune in and cheer on the ladies!

To be brief, the U.S. Women's Open is the oldest championship (63 years) open to women professionals and amateurs. This year's "Kohler Experience" in Wisconsin hopes to recreate a sudden death playoff that epitomizes the "Open" feel which occured thirteen years ago at this venue between Se-Ri Pak and amateur golfer Jenny Chuasiriporn.

The River and Meadow Valleys Course will merge for the 2012 U.S. Women's Open to recreate the Original Championship course, a sort of "composite course" of the two very challenging layouts.

The "Snake", first hole of the River Course, may get you on the green in two with a solid drive but you must favor the right side of a deep green to avoid the bunker and river on the left.

No matter how scary "Snake" might look, it is not the official starting point of the U.S. Women's Open Championship: golfers will have to wait until the tenth hole to feel it's bite.

The first hole will officially make the girls "Quiver". Normally the tenth hole of the Meadow Valleys Golf Course, Quiver is a Par 4, 348 yard hole "with a daunting tee shot across the Sheboygan River to a fairway that narrows as you get closer to the green. Favoring the middle to left side of the fairway from the tee with a driver or 3-wood will open up your approach to the green. The approach shot requires an additional one to two clubs into an elevated green."

With regards to the ladies, the group of entrants ranges from newcomer (and Tiger Woods' niece) Cheyenne Woods to more familiar faces Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel and world-ranked number-one women's golfer Yani Tseng. The U.S. Women's Open Championship is always an exciting event with the outcoming not being a runaway but I'll lay my odds on Yani Tseng as the eventual winner. Who is your choice to win?

Watch first and second-round coverage of the 2012 U.S. Women's Open July 5, 6, from 4-8 pm on ESPN2. NBC will air live third and fourth round coverage from 3-6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, June 22, 2012

In a recent press release it was said that Cheyenne Woods, the niece of Tiger you-know-who, is now representing the Nike Golf brand "from head-to-toe" using Nike apparel, equipment and accessories. Will Cheyenne be a better representative than her better known uncle?

Cheyenne Woods not only earned her college degree from Wake Forest U but also commanded great respect on the golf course. If this sounds like Uncle Tiger in any way, it should, with one exception. Although Tiger Woods was awarded a golf scholarship to Stanford University and made NCAA All American (among other great golf achievements), he only stayed through his sophomore year. That being said, Tiger's high school mates deemed him, "Most Likely to Succeed."

On the golf course, both Cheyenne and Tiger Woods have an unflappable quality. Cheyenne's golf coach recently said that the young Woods's strength is in her mental game. Most people who have watched Tiger Woods perform agree that the same is true of him.

That being said, neither of the Woods' future is yet written. Tiger Woods' life circumstances has dragged his name through the mud and has impeded upon his mental stamina while Cheyenne's journey is just beginning with a life ahead full of surprises. Either way, Nike has smartly taken a chance on the All-American to set an example for the Woods name.

Next stop for Cheyenne Woods is a spot in the U.S. Women's Open. All eyes will be on her, waiting for the magic to happen. Perhaps she is the Woods that can change the face of women's golf, make it more visible and interesting to the masses?

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Although Mohegan Sun calls its Country Club “Connecticut’s best kept secret”, once a golfer stands upon this golf course’s cushioned tee boxes and walks along its pristine fairways, word will most certainly spread.

For any golfer visiting Mohegan Sun for the obvious fun, your stay would not be complete without playing eighteen holes at the newly redesigned Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug. Located about fifteen minutes from the hotel/casino, the drive time is worth the effort as this parkland-like golf course boasts a redesign with added yardage and all new greens. We played a best-ball format and although we didn’t hit out of the sand, we raked bunkers which were thick and powdery.

From the moment Barry and I walked towards the welcoming clubhouse, we were greeted by everyone from the attendant who hoisted our bags to members who were eager to share the history of their golf course (and on which hole they made an ace!) Even former pro football player Ahmad Rashad gave us a pep-talk before our round! This friendliness made me feel at home and, while on the small yet efficient practice range, I felt like a member of this exclusive private club, not just a guest.

The practice putting green is well manicured and resembles the golf course greens in speed and lie. It is important to get in a bit of practice here before heading out to the first tee as you will learn much about the course and feel more comfortable as you enter the 18-hole 6471-yard (from the blues) maze of forestry, sand and water.

Our group began Media Day scramble format on the ninth hole, a 411-yard (blue tee/349 ladies) par-4 with a pretty view of trees and a big bite which started our team off with a bogey.

in spite of its straight-forward appearance.The tenth hole, "Double Down", a 353-yard par-4, put us right back into the game with a birdie. Although it's a relatively short hole, the fairway on ten is surrounded by water with bunkers left, right and center of the fairway forcing a golfer to be precise or land in the drink.

One memorable hole on the course was the redesigned sixth, a tricky 485-yard par-5 in which you might focus your attention on the small waterfall on the right side of the fairway while the left drop surrounding the green tricks you into thinking you can go for it. Yes I did "go for it"...I thought I took enough club and guess where I landed? Smart play on this golf course is essential in order to score well, and golf training aids might have been a help here in advance.

Barry’s favorite golf hole was the seventh, High Meadow, the number-one handicap hole on the course. This 384-yard par-4 is deceptively difficult for it's length yet Barry played it wisely from tee to green making a birdie without assistance from his playing partners.

A warm welcome did not just begin at the golf course, it extended throughout the Mohegan Sun hotel. Aquai is a Mohegan word meaning "welcome" and is not just a term that is bandied about, it was shown by all of the employees we encountered within Mohegan Sun “country”.

We would like to thank Mohegan Sun for the five-star attention given to us at both the Country Club and throughout their property.

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

In March, Pinnacle Golf set out to find golfers who have “gone the distance” in the fight against breast cancer. Today, Pinnacle is happy to announce that they have named ten honorees in the "Going the Distance" Awards.

Going the Distance Awards is a program established to celebrate and honor remarkable individuals who are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. The Going the Distance Award honors ten individuals within the golf community who have shown personal dedication to the fight against breast cancer, while demonstrating a passion to furthering the cause and positively impacting the lives of others.

The program celebrates and honors golfers who are making an impact in battling this disease. Ten honorees will have a $10,000 donation made in their name to help fund critical breast cancer research, as well as receive a prize package from Pinnacle.

Honorees were determined based on four key criteria:

·A strong tie to breast cancer

·Personal dedication to the fight against breast cancer

·Impact on others’ lives or the community

·Connection to, and passion for, golf

Here are a list of the winners:

Honorees:

Faye Bildman – Bethesda, Md.

Cy Breen – Cathedral City, Calif.

Rachel Brown – Dublin, Ohio

Debbie Christiansen – Wichita, Kan.

Kathleen Christiansen – Greenville, Pa.

Cynthia Janssens – Estero, Fla.

Jeanne Puckett – Charlotte, N.C.

Mary Lou Ray – Aurora, Colo.

Anne Sievers – Manassas, Va.

Pam Tyler – Neosho, Mo.

Each honoree will have $10,000 donated by Pinnacle in their name to Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® to help fund critical breast cancer research. Donations from this program will go toward life-saving breast cancer research at the national level. Along with the donation, each honoree will receive a Pinnacle prize package of custom attire, golf shoes and Pinnacle Gold Ribbon golf balls.

“Pinnacle is so proud to honor these ten amazing individuals who are making a difference in breast cancer research, education and awareness,” said Mary Lou Bohn, Vice President, Golf Ball Marketing and Communications. “Breast cancer is one of the leading health issues facing women and their families today, so this disease touches golfers everywhere. By honoring these incredible members of the golf community, we hope to inspire others to join the fight to create awareness and find a cure.”

Pinnacle has a long history of supporting charitable organizations that are aligned with golf and has been committed to battling breast cancer and funding research toward a cure since 1995.

And now, onto the GIVEAWAY...

Pinnacle Golf and Golf for Beginners want to know what good works you are doing in the golf community!

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

With putts rolling into the cup and memorable fist pumps showing shades of the "old" Tiger Woods, watching the back nine on Sunday at Muirfield Village was like reveling in the return of an old golf buddy.

There was an electric current flowing through the air with fans anxiously holding their collective breath waiting for Woods to fumble, waiting for Woods to miss another putt...but none of that happened. Instead, a focused Tiger pounced on his shots and gave fans a show worthy of the 2012 season highlights reel.

Television cameras aimed their focus on Jack Nicklaus on several occasions and spectators could see an anxious golf hero of old waiting impatiently to officially greet his successor.

"If he's going to do it, which he was obviously going to,” Nicklaus said, “I'd like to see it happen here," ...and it did.

When Tiger Woods finally met with Jack Nicklaus at the edge of the 18th green, handshakes and congenialities were exchanged and voices of the past exclaiming that Woods had no shot at Nicklaus' records were quieted.

And now questions of breaking Nicklaus' major records are being raised. Can Woods do it? Six months ago this same question would have been met with questions; Is his achilles healed...how is his swing...is his head in the game?

From ESPN which conjectures that "Tiger is on track heading to U.S. Open" to Golf Channel which put the question up to the fans for discussion, opinions are mixed at best. ESPN "experts" place Tiger's chances on or about twenty-five percent (except for Collins who raised the stakes to seventy-five percent) stating that Woods' game needs work, from his driver to bunker shots to putting. Fans on Golf Channel like Tiger's chances with a big "but"..."you never know what a guy's going to do week-to-week."

Golf Links

Improve your Golf Swing and Game by Training your Hips and Core Muscles with Elmore The Trainer. He understands Functional Movements that will transfer from the weight room onto the Golf Course. Buckhead Personal Trainer How do you think Tiger Woods Transform his Game in his 30's? He used fitness movement patterns to shape not only his body but his Game as well!

Disclaimers

I may receive free services, items or payment from miscellaneous providers of golf-related merchandise. ❀I promise that I will always deliver my honest opinion!

Golf for Beginners does not claim credit for any image featured unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyright to its respectful owners. In no way are we responsible for, or have control over, the content of any external web site links. Information here may contain errors or inaccuracies; proprietors do not make warranty as to the correctness or reliability of the site's content. If you own rights to any of the images, or are depicted thereof, and do not wish to appear here, please contact us for prompt removal.